Three new phenazine-type compounds, named phenazines SA-SC (1-3), together with four new natural products (4-7), were isolated from the fermentation broth of an earwig-associated Streptomyces sp. NA04227. The structures of these compounds were determined by extensive analyses of NMR, high resolution mass spectroscopic data, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurement. Sequencing and analysis of the genome data allowed us to identify the gene cluster (spz) and propose a biosynthetic pathway for these phenazine-type compounds. Additionally, compounds 1-5 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and compound 3 showed antimicrobial activities against Micrococcus luteus.
Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Insecta ; microbiology ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Micrococcus luteus ; drug effects ; Molecular Structure ; Multigene Family ; Phenazines ; chemistry ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Streptomyces ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronically relapsing skin disease that is associated with a disturbance of the epidermal barrier function. Changes in the human skin microbiome have been suggested as a risk factor for AD. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the species distribution of microflora on the skin and in the oral cavity of healthy volunteers and patients with AD. METHODS: Samples for culture were obtained from both lesional skin and the oral cavity in 211 patients with AD and from both the normal skin and oral cavity of 24 healthy controls. Species identification was performed with the VITEK 2 system (bioMerieux Inc., Hazelwood, MO, USA). RESULTS: The isolation of Staphylococcus aureus from the skin was statistically more frequent among patients with AD than among healthy controls, while the isolation of Staphylococcus hominis and Micrococcus luteus were statistically more frequent among healthy controls than among patients with AD (p<0.05). In the oral cavity, S. aureus and Candida albicans were found more frequently in patients with AD, but the difference did was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study provides an important insight into the species distribution of microorganisms on human skin and in the oral cavity. Further investigation is required to determine the role of specific microorganisms in the etiology and pathogenicity of AD.
Candida albicans ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Microbiota ; Micrococcus luteus ; Mouth ; Risk Factors ; Skin Diseases ; Skin* ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Staphylococcus hominis ; Virulence

BACKGROUNDEarly embryonic developmental arrest is the most commonly understudied adverse outcome of pregnancy. The relevance of intrauterine infection to spontaneous embryonic death is rarely studied and remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between intrauterine bacterial infection and early embryonic developmental arrest.

METHODSEmbryonic chorion tissue and uterine swabs for bacterial detection were obtained from 33 patients who underwent artificial abortion (control group) and from 45 patients who displayed early embryonic developmental arrest (trial group).

RESULTSIntrauterine bacterial infection was discovered in both groups. The infection rate was 24.44% (11/45) in the early embryonic developmental arrest group and 9.09% (3/33) in the artificial abortion group. Classification analysis revealed that the highest detection rate for Micrococcus luteus in the early embryonic developmental arrest group was 13.33% (6/45), and none was detected in the artificial abortion group. M. luteus infection was significantly different between the groups (P < 0.05 as shown by Fisher's exact test). In addition, no correlation was found between intrauterine bacterial infection and history of early embryonic developmental arrest.

CONCLUSIONSM. luteus infection is related to early embryonic developmental arrest and might be one of its causative factors.

Abortion, Induced ; statistics & numerical data ; Abortion, Spontaneous ; etiology ; microbiology ; Bacterial Infections ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Micrococcus luteus ; pathogenicity ; Pregnancy ; Uterus ; microbiology

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), as a novel class of biopolymer, are attracting more attention due to their diverse material properties and environment-independent biodegradability. Here we report the preparation of PHA exhibiting efficient antibacterial activity by embedding Nisin, a food additive generally recognized as safe, into poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx), a type of PHA with high biocompatibility. We first prepared Nisin-containing PHBHHx films using solvent casting method. Confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis showed that a well-mixed integrated structure of the films with an even distribution of the Nisin particles in the PHBHHx matrices. Then the antimicrobial activity of PHBHHx/Nisin films against Micrococcus luteus was quantified on agar plate by measuring the size of inhibition zone. Cultivation in liquid media further confirmed the releasing of Nisin from the films and the long-time antibacterial activity. Results showed that the threshold of Nisin concentration for long-time and effective inhibition against bacteria growth is 25 μg/g. These results altogether establish a technological foundation for the application of PHA in biomedicine and food industry.
3-Hydroxybutyric Acid ; chemistry ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; Caproates ; chemistry ; Micrococcus luteus ; drug effects ; Nisin ; chemistry ; Polyhydroxyalkanoates ; chemistry

To investigate cytotoxic secondary metabolites of Micrococcus sp. R21, an actinomycete isolated from a deep-sea sediment (-6 310 m; 142 degrees 19. 9' E, 10 degrees 54. 6' N) of the Western Pacific Ocean, column chromatography was introduced over silica gel, ODS, and Sephadex LH-20. As a result, eight compounds were obtained. By mainly detailed analysis of the NMR data, their structures were elucidated as cyclo(4-hydroxy-L-Pro-L-leu) (1), cyclo(L-Pro-L-Gly) (2), cyclo( L-Pro-L-Ala) (3), cyclo( D-Pro-L-Leu) (4), N-β-acetyltryptamine (5), 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (6), and phenylacetic acid (7). Compound 1 exhibited weak cytotoxic activity against RAW264. 7 cells with IC50 value of 9.1 μmol x L(-1).
Animals ; Biological Factors ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Macrophages ; cytology ; drug effects ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Mice ; Micrococcus ; chemistry ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Molecular Structure ; Phylogeny ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Seawater ; microbiology ; Secondary Metabolism

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Given the characteristic procedures involved in the endoscopy unit, the spread of pathogens is much more frequent in this unit than in other environments. However, there is a lack of data elucidating the existence of pathogens in the endoscopy unit. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of possible pathogens in the endoscopy unit. METHODS: We performed environmental culture using samples from the endoscopy rooms of 2 tertiary hospitals. We used sterile cotton-tipped swabs moistened with sterile saline to swab the surfaces of 197 samples. Then, we cultured the swab in blood agar plate. Samples from the colonoscopy room were placed in thioglycollate broth to detect the presence of anaerobes. After 2 weeks of culture period, we counted the colony numbers. RESULTS: The most commonly contaminated spots were the doctor's keyboard, nurse's cart, and nurse's mouse. The common organisms found were non-pathogenic bacterial microorganisms Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, and Streptococcus spp.. No definite anaerobe organism was detected in the colonoscopy room. CONCLUSIONS: Although the organisms detected in the endoscopy unit were mainly non-pathogenic organisms, they might cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. Therefore, the environment of the endoscopy room should be managed appropriately; moreover, individual hand hygiene is important for preventing possible hospital-acquired infections.
Agar ; Animals ; Colonoscopy ; Endoscopy* ; Hand Hygiene ; Immunocompromised Host ; Mice ; Micrococcus ; Opportunistic Infections ; Staphylococcus ; Streptococcus ; Tertiary Care Centers

Essential oils of the resins of Pinus brutia and Pinus pinea were evaluated for their biological potential. Essential oils were characterized using GC-MS and GC/FID. in vitro antimicrobial, phytotoxic, antioxidant, and insecticidal activities were carried out using the direct contact and the fumigant assays, respectively. The chemical profile of the essential oils of the resins of P. pinea and P. brutia included mainly α-pinene (21.39% and 25.40%), β-pinene (9.68% and 9.69%), and caryophyllene (9.12% and 4.81%). The essential oils of P. pinea and P. brutia exerted notable antimicrobial activities on Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus subtilis, insecticidal activities on Ephestia kuehniella eggs, phytotoxic activities on Lactuca sativa, Lepidium sativum, and Portulaca oleracea, as well as antioxidant potential. Indications of the biological activities of the essential oils suggest their use in the formulation of ecofriendly and biocompatible pharmaceuticals.
Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Bacillus subtilis ; drug effects ; Bicyclic Monoterpenes ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Insecta ; drug effects ; Insecticides ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Lepidium ; drug effects ; Lettuce ; drug effects ; Mediterranean Region ; Micrococcus luteus ; drug effects ; Monoterpenes ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Pinus ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plant Oils ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes ; Portulaca ; drug effects ; Resins, Plant ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Terpenes ; analysis ; pharmacology

Two trials of external quality assessment for clinical microbiology laboratories were performed in 2009. A total of 16 specimens were distributed. Eight specimens were distributed to 339 laboratories with 322 (95.0%) returns in Trial I, and another eight specimens to 337 laboratories with 327 returns (97.0%) in Trial II. Two slide specimens for mycobacterium stain (AFB) were distributed in both Trial I and II. The acceptable percentages of Gram stain were relatively good for both stainability and morphology. The acceptable percentages of bacterial identification (correct answers to species level) on Sterotrophomonas maltophilia, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Micrococcus luteus, Vibrio parahemolyticus and Candida glabrata (Trial I) were 94.4%, 98.5%, 92.1%, 62.3%, 92.1% and 71.5%, respectively. The acceptable percentages of bacterial identification on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Moraxella catarrhalis and Enterobacter cloacae (Trial II) were 98.5%, 94.1%, 89.2%, 86.2%, 79.6% and 98.5%, respectively. The acceptable percentages for antimicrobial susceptibility tests on S. maltophilia and S. aureus (Trial I), and P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis(Trial II) were relatively good compared to data of the last year, except results using disk method for S. maltophilia. The acceptable percentages for AFB stain in Trial I and II were relatively high. In summary, the acceptable percentages of bacterial stain and identification were relatively good. However, it is still necessary that the quality assurance of the individual laboratories should be improved for antimicrobial susceptibility tests, and the selection of the most appropriate antimicrobial agents to test should be also considered.
Anti-Infective Agents ; Candida albicans ; Candida glabrata ; Enterobacter cloacae ; Enterococcus faecalis ; Korea ; Micrococcus luteus ; Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis ; Mycobacterium ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; Streptococcus agalactiae ; Vibrio

BACKGROUND: Cellular phone has become a necessary device for communicating in hospitals. Cellular phones contaminated with bacteria may serve as a fomite in the transmission of pathogens by the hands of medical personnel. We investigated the bacterial contamination of cellular phones used by medical personnel in a tertiary hospital. METHODS: Culture swabs were obtained from 101 cellular phones and 99 anterior nasal cavities from medical personnel using cellular phones. The swabs were inoculated on blood agar, MacConkey agar, mannitol salt agar, and enterococcal broths containing 6microgram/mL vancomycin for 48 h at 37degrees C. The bacteria were identified on the basis of colony morphology, gram staining characteristics, catalase test, coagulase test, and DNase test; Microscan (Siemens, USA) was used for the identification of enterococci. RESULTS: Of the 101 cellular phones, 13 were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus (including 4 methicillin-resistant S. aureus [MRSA]), 61 with coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (including 38 methicillin-resistant CoNS), 27 with Micrococcus spp., 11 with diphtheroids, 67 with Bacillus spp., and 4 with viridans streptococci. No gram-negative bacilli were isolated. Nasal swabs yielded 36 S. aureus, including 9 MRSA. Only 1 of 9 cellular phones used by the MRSA carriers was contaminated with MRSA. CONCLUSION: Cellular phones used by some medical personnel were contaminated with pathogens such as S. aureus or MRSA. Although, the clinical implications of pathogens isolated from cellular phones have not been fully investigated, pathogens could be transmitted by the hands of medical personnel who are cellular phone users.
Agar ; Bacillus ; Bacteria ; Catalase ; Cellular Phone ; Coagulase ; Deoxyribonucleases ; Disinfection ; Fomites ; Hand ; Hand Hygiene ; Mannitol ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Micrococcus ; Nasal Cavity ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Vancomycin ; Viridans Streptococci

Meningococcal infections can be associated with abnormalities of the complement system, which contains 5 terminal complement proteins. Furthermore, deficiencies in 1 of these 5, complement component 7 (C7), leads to the loss of complement lytic function, and affected patients show increased susceptibility to recurrent meningococcal meningitis and systemic Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection. In September 2003, an 11-year-old female patient presented at our outpatient department with high fever, lower leg pain, headache, and petechiaes. She rapidly progressed to coma but later achieved full recovery due to prompt treatment. Her final diagnosis was meningococcal sepsis and arthritis. Her elder brother also had a similar bacterial meningoencephalitis history, which encouraged us to perform analyses for complement component and gene mutations. Resultantly, both the brother and sister were found to have the same mutation in the C7 gene. Subsequently, vaccinations of the meningococcal vaccine meningococcal vaccine (Menomune(R)) were administered. However, in September 2006, the brother expired due to acute micrococcus meningoencephalitis. At present, the 16-year-old female patient is healthy. Here, we report a Korean family with a hereditary C7 deficiency with susceptibility to meningococcal infections due to C7 gene mutation.
Adolescent ; Arthritis ; Child ; Coma ; Complement C7 ; Complement System Proteins ; Female ; Fever ; Headache ; Humans ; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes ; Leg ; Meningitis, Meningococcal ; Meningococcal Infections ; Meningococcal Vaccines ; Meningoencephalitis ; Micrococcus ; Neisseria gonorrhoeae ; Outpatients ; Sepsis ; Siblings ; Vaccination